Patents by Inventor William Kuru

William Kuru has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250215679
    Abstract: A plume cleaning system for a toilet is integrated with a toilet. In one example, a plume cleaner assembly adjacent to a toilet seat is independently removable with respect to the toilet seat. The plume cleaner assembly may include a plume cleaner, apertures, and a fan positioned to draw plume air through the plurality of apertures for treatment by the plume cleaner and expel the treated plume air out of the plume cleaner assembly in a direction at an angle to the apertures. In another example, a plume cleaner assembly with the toilet seat may include at least a fan, an electrostatic collector, and a mist generator. In another example, a plume cleaner assembly is integrated in a tank of the toilet to generate a sanitization fluid that is channeled into the toilet bowl through an overflow tube and/or rim channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2025
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Clayton Garrels, William Kuru
  • Patent number: 12320110
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 12296074
    Abstract: A panel for accumulation of aerosol particles in an indoor environment includes a surface plate and an electrostatic collector plate coupled to the surface plate and configured to hold an electrical charge to attract and accumulate aerosol particles. The panel may include or otherwise be coupled with an activation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, William Kalk
  • Patent number: 12281468
    Abstract: A plume cleaning system for a toilet is integrated with a toilet. In one example, a plume cleaner assembly adjacent to a toilet seat is independently removable with respect to the toilet seat. The plume cleaner assembly may include a plume cleaner, apertures, and a fan positioned to draw plume air through the plurality of apertures for treatment by the plume cleaner and expel the treated plume air out of the plume cleaner assembly in a direction at an angle to the apertures. In another example, a plume cleaner assembly with the toilet seat may include at least a fan, an electrostatic collector, and a mist generator. In another example, a plume cleaner assembly is integrated in a tank of the toilet to generate a sanitization fluid that is channeled into the toilet bowl through an overflow tube and/or rim channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Kobler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton Garrels, William Kuru
  • Publication number: 20250092957
    Abstract: Shape memory alloys (“SMAs”) may be used within and for many different contexts. The unique structure and makeup of SMAs may be more efficient and effective than existing solutions and may provide more advantageous benefits. For example, SMAs may be used to control direction and flow of water in bathing appliances. As another example, SMAs may be used to control the positioning of water outlets or different fixtures. SMAs may be used to control and adjust bathing products, which may further enhance user experience when handling such products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Andrew Smith, Clay Garrels, Lawrence Grin, Niels Eilmus, Michael Smith, William Kuru, Jason Kwacz
  • Publication number: 20250075483
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Publication number: 20250012065
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 12168865
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Publication number: 20240393061
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a shower environment includes a panel having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of flow channels. The panel is disposed within the shower environment. The plurality of flow channels fluidly couples the inlet with the outlet. The panel is configured to condense steam to heat a fluid flowing through the plurality of flow channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kalk, William Kuru
  • Patent number: 12104366
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240254750
    Abstract: A toilet may include a base including a bowl, a rim disposed around a top of the bowl, and a seat rotatably coupled to the rim. The eat may include a top surface configured to support a user and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. In some examples, the top surface is disposed at an incline and the bottom surface is supported by the rim. In some example, a dampener including a softer material than the bowl and disposed within the bowl. In some examples, a bidet wand extends from the base and is configured to selectively change between a position for dispensing a flow of water for washing a user and a position for cleaning a surface of the bowl. In some examples, the toilet includes a floor connector including a channel formed by a first flange and a second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Luke Bartel, Diego Alejandro Cuervo Ayala, Megan Joe Hizon Roehl, Wesley Irek, Robert S. Davis, William Kuru, Paola Alvarez, Crystel Tershner, Kenneth A. Kapal, Alan E. Lange, Cody Wilcox, Andrew van Gorden, Yi Liu, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Amber Colleen Resch, Amy Dehne, David Hammer, Aaron Mitchell, Ryan Grotegut, Mrudula Y, Jonathan Reik
  • Publication number: 20240167261
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240141635
    Abstract: An active noise cancellation system for a toilet comprising a lid configured to cover a bowl of the toilet, a microphone configured to detect noises associated with the toilet, and a coil coupled to the lid and configured to causes vibrations in the lid to emit sounds derived from the detected noises associated with the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Jason M. Kwacz
  • Publication number: 20240133170
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240117618
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11920336
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240065602
    Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of urine flow includes a microphone, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The microphone is configured to detect an audio from the urine flow. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature in a toilet bowl associated with the urine flow. The controller is configured to calculate a urine volume in the toilet bowl based on the temperature in the toilet bowl and calculate a flow rate based on the urine volume and at least one time interval from the audio from the urine flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, William Kalk
  • Patent number: 11913211
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240052619
    Abstract: A toilet flushing assembly includes at least a spiral trapway and a drive mechanism. The spiral trapway includes an upstream portion coupled to a toilet bowl, a curved portion, and a downstream portion coupled to a waste outlet. The drive mechanism is coupled to the spiral trapway and configured to rotate the spiral trapway from a first orientation to a second orientation. The first orientation evacuates contents from the toilet bowl and the second orientation advances the contents from the spiral trapway to the waste outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Jason Kwacz, Prasanth Jayakumar, Robin Whitfield
  • Patent number: D1083048
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton Garrels, William Kuru